Facilities

Somonauk Nature Adventure Park is nestled in a neighborhood located in the southern part of the Park Forest.

Please note: Somonauk Nature Adventure Park, Somonauk Park/Pavilion is now available for renting. 

Download the Park Pavilion Rental Information Packet for more details on all Park Pavilions: Park Pavilion Rental Information Packet 

Somonauk Nature Adventure Park
Somonauk Nature Adventure Park combines adventure and nature to Park Forest and its surrounding cities. Included is a two-acre pond with native, prairie, and emergent wetland, recreational fishing, and kayaking. Additional site amenities include walks; accessible, elevated seating; and opportunities for fishing and kayaking. Somonauk Park also becomes part of the village’s Best Management Practices (BMPs) for storm water management. 

Check out this page for park permit details in early 2026

 Links: 

Park Rules

2026 Park Permit Application

Informational Guide

Waste Management in the Parks
Help keep our parks clean and sustainable by following these simple tips:

• Refuse: Do not use styrofoam products — they are not recyclable and can harm people and wildlife.

• Reduce: Avoid single-use plastics. Bring reusable containers, plates, and utensils.

• Reuse: Minimize food waste by taking leftovers home, sharing with guests, or donating to a food pantry (call ahead).

• Recycle Right:

  • Rinse containers free of food and flatten cardboard boxes.

  • Acceptable: plastics, glass, cans, and jars.

  • Not accepted: plastic bags, plastic cutlery, styrofoam, candy wrappers, chip bags, paper plates, napkins, or items with food on them.

• Sort It Out: Never put trash in recycling bins. If unsure whether something is recyclable, throw it in the trash.

• Spread the Word: Remind others to recycle properly at events.

For more info, visit villageofparkforest.com/sustainability.

Village of Park Forest Ordinances - Pet Waste Disposal and Removal

Sec. 14-2. - Declaration of nuisances. It shall be deemed unlawful and a nuisance for any person within the village limits to: (3) Permit any pet under his care or control to deposit any excrement upon the property of another, without the express consent of the owner of the property; appear with a pet upon any alley, street, sidewalk, park, playground, parking lot, church or school grounds or other property of public use, without some means for the removal of excrement; fail to remove any excrement deposited by such pet; or dispose of such excrement except as provided in section 86-4 of this Code. This section shall not apply to a blind or physically handicapped person while walking his guide or support dog. 

Sec. 14-49. - Removal of excrement. (a) No person shall appear with a pet upon the public ways or within public places or upon the property of another, absent that person's consent, without some means for the removal of excrement, nor shall any person fail to remove any excrement deposited by such pet. This section shall not apply to a blind or physically handicapped person while walking his guide or support dog. (b) This section shall be enforced under and in accordance with chapter 2, article VII of this Code, which article provides for the administrative adjudication of certain ordinance violations.